Erik ten Hag shuts down journalist following bizarre question in Man United press conference

Erik ten Hag shut down one journalist following a bizarre question during his Manchester United press conference after winning against Luton Town.

The Reds came out as 1-0 victors against the newly promoted Luton and should’ve put the game to bed much earlier if they finished the chances they created.

Following the game, as usual, Ten Hag met with the media for his post-match press conference. One initial question surrounded clarity around his yellow card and a potential touchline ban for the next Premier League fixture against Everton.

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The Dutchman confirmed that it was his third yellow card of the season and that his management team would take charge against The Toffies after the international break.

He added that the reasoning behind his booking was due to his reaction to what he felt was a ‘clear’ throw-in given the wrong way.

Then, towards the end of the press conference, the manager was asked a strange series of questions in a tone that appeared to be insinuating that the rules he places at United do not apply to himself.

“Do you get fined now, seeing as you got banned? Will you be fining yourself?” he was asked.

“Fine myself?” responded Ten Hag with a confused look on his face. The journalist bizarrely added, “Well the players will if they backchat, surely?”

Ten Hag said: “If the players get booked then… when they get a red card then they probably get fined but for a booking, a yellow, they don’t get fined.”

The situation appeared to be cleared up despite the journalist attempting to essentially trip Ten Hag up, but he continued, “Not the manager?”

Ten Hag looks somewhat puzzled that this is even a conversation in his post-match press conference, “eh?” he says.

“Does it not apply to the manager if you backchat?” the journalist adds.

Ten Hag, who seemed to realise what was being suggested, replied: “Oh, so to a point of course you have to accept decisions and [that’s] what I should do as well, yeah.”

In an awkward and simply strange exchange, Ten Hag shut down the insinuation from the journalist that he is above the rules that he sets for the squad.

Of course, the United boss is known for having a strict line in terms of discipline and rules on and off the field. He has clashed with both Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho as a result of that.

However, the line of questioning from the journalist in question certainly did not come across well and simply seemed strange, especially when the change of rules in the Premier League has meant we’re seeing a large increase in bookings for players, managers and staff.